Our Story

Chifure's longstanding commitment to the production of essential quality cosmetics at affordable prices began with the conviction that cosmetics could be excellent without being expensive. Since its beginnings, Chifure has taken pride in its determination to anticipate customer needs and provide quality cosmetics at reasonable prices.

EXPLORE

1947-1959

Shimada Matsuo on the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association’s tour to the United States and Europe in 1959

Shimada Matsuo's Vision

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Recognizing Chifure founder Shimada Matsuo’s broad cosmetics industry experience and knowledge, Mitsubishi Oil Co., Ltd. appointed him to direct sales at their cosmetics company established in 1947. Shimada acquired the company in 1951. From the beginning, he aimed to offer safe and cost effective cosmetics, dismissing the image of cosmetics as necessarily luxurious and expensive. He introduced door-to-door sales to reduce distribution costs.

1950

Dedication to Customers

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Shimada was first and foremost interested in serving customers and anticipating their needs. He observed that, rather than focusing on product quality and effectiveness, cosmetics companies generally tended to exploit women's psychology to gain sales.

 
Shimada Matsuo (1904 -1969)

Events in this period

  • 1947

    Chifure predecessor company established

  • 1951

    Shimada Matsuo takes over the company

  • 1954

    Launch of door-to-door sales

1960-1969

¥100 cosmetics, as launched in 1962

¥100 cosmetics

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In 1960s Japan, the cosmetics industry targeted affluent women and focused on luxury. The price of cosmetics was inflated by large advertising budgets necessary to build brand image competitive with imported products. Shimada, however, envisioned cosmetic products as daily necessities rather than luxuries. Eschewing advertising and reducing production and packaging costs, he was able to realize his vision of products priced at ¥100.

1960

A Propitious Luncheon

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Impressed by Shimada's philosophy of affordable quality cosmetics and his idea of ¥100 cosmetic products, the National Federation of Regional Women's Organizations (Zen Chifuren), Japan's largest consumer organization, showed interest in lending support.

 
Chifure sales counter, 1971

Events in this period

  • 1962

    ¥100 cosmetics launched

  • 1967

    Extensive media coverage

  • 1968

    'Chifure Cosmetics' brand launched, certified by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Hygiene Research

1970-1979

Products with ingredients displayed on the label

Disclosure of Ingredients

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Shimada felt strongly that consumers had a right to know exactly what was contained in products applied directly to the skin, because skin can be sensitive to certain ingredients. Chifure began fully disclosing ingredients on products in 1968, well before Japanese law required this in 2001, and pre-dating the 1975 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules.

1970

The 1973 Oil Shock and Refillable Cosmetics

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Chifure's introduction of refillable containers emerged as an innovative solution to inflation and other difficulties, including the shortage of plastic containers, caused by the oil crisis of 1973.

 
Pioneering cosmetic refill

Events in this period

  • 1971

    General market sales of Chifure Cosmetics

  • 1973

    Declaration on ¥100 price maintenance

  • 1974

    Refillable containers introduced

  • 1978

    Initiation of product packaging disclosing names and quantities of ingredients, and date of manufacture

1980-1989

Pioneering environment-friendly hairspray

Hairspray and the Global Environment

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Chifure's non-chlorofluorocarbon (non-CFC) hairspray, setting lotion, and hair treatment, all launched in 1981, were selected as EcoMark products recommended by the Japan Environment Agency and approved by the Japan Environment Association for certification as environmentally conscious products contributing to environmental preservation.

1980

Consumer Consultation Office

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Setting up a consumer consultation office in 1980, Chifure again led the way in communication with customers. A toll free User Service Desk number initiated in 1992 made communication and consultation even easier.

 

Events in this period

  • 1980

    Fragrance-free products introduced
    Consumer Consultation Office established

  • 1981

    Non-Freon hair spray introduced

  • 1982

    Completion of new factory and corporate relocation to Kawagoe City, Saitama

1990-1999

Awards and certificates as a superior consumer-oriented company

Minister of International Trade and Industry Award

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In 1992, Chifure received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award for Outstanding Consumer-oriented Corporations. This award was initiated in 1990 by the Industrial Policy Bureau of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) (now the Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry).

1990

Ayaka Brand

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During the so-called 'bubble economy' of the late 1980s and early 1990s in Japan, interest in luxury goods was high and consumption soared. Cosmetics with special formulations were selling easily for high prices. Chifure introduced its Ayaka brand in this sales environment.

 
Ayaka brand, as launched in 1991

Events in this period

  • 1991

    Ayaka brand introduced

  • 1992

    Minister of Trade and Industry Award as outstanding consumer-oriented company

  • 1996

    Line of quasi-drug cosmetic products introduced

2000-    

 

Ad Adverse Chifure Advertises

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Chifure placed its first mass media advertisement in 2003, in a shift from its long-held corporate commitment to refrain from advertising. The continued popularity of Chifure products through thirty-five years without advertising attests to their quality. However, a sea of proliferating cosmetic brands and a media scene marked by information overload, presented a challenge.

2000

Over 40 years of Product Refills

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Chifure introduced refillable containers in 1974, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of this innovation in 2014. The actual anniversary date, June 25, is registered and officially designated by the Japan Anniversary Association as "Refillable Container Day."

 
Ever popular cosmetic refills

Events in this period

  • 2003

    Policy shift on advertising; first commercial ad appears

    Kawagoe headquarters/factory receives ISO9001 certification

  • 2007

    Japan Organic Corporation established

  • 2008

    Yuji Shimada moves from president to chairperson

    Japan-made organic cosmetics brand “do organic” launched

  • 2010

    Kawagoe headquarters/factory receives ISO14001:2004 certification

    Chifure brand launched in China

    Masakazu Kataoka becomes president

  • 2011

    Bio-polyethylene containers adopted

    Sponsorship agreement of AS Elfen Sayama (currently Chifure AS Elfen Saitama) women's soccer team signed

    Yuji Shimada moves from chairperson to honorary chairperson, and Etsuko Shimada becomes chairperson

  • 2013

    Osaka office established

    Chifure Women Entrepreneur Support System instituted

    Chifure Hanno Sports Ground established in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture

  • 2014

    Zenkoku Fujin Kaikan/Chifure Building (Shibuya office) completed

    “Refill Day” instituted to mark 40th anniversary of launch of refillable cosmetics

    Welfare and training center established at Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture

  • 2015

    “Skin Has Right to Know Day” instituted

    Chifure brand launched in Thailand

    Support for Kochi prefecture’s prestigious Truck Yosakoi traditional dance team started

  • 2016

    Chifure brand launched in Taiwan

    Donation made to Tokyo University of Science Honorable Mention Award for Biology and Science

    Invested in Nippon Shikizai, Inc.

  • 2017

    70th anniversary celebrated

    Technical instruction contract and joint projects with Institute of Physical and Chemical Research started

  • 2018

    New plant constructed in Hanno, Saitama Prefecture, to further raise product quality and expand the production system

    Company name changed to Chifure Holdings Corporation

    Launched department store counseling-style brand HIKARIMIRAI

    Cosmetics tool brand BEAUTY UP TOOL launched

    Elfen Sports Club Inc. established

  • 2019

    Chifure brand launched in Malaysia

    Chifureai Nursery opened in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

    Chifure Beauty Science Center opened in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, to further enhance research and development capabilities

    Chifure brand launched in Singapore

    Launched natural skincare brand “do natural”

    Chifure brand launched in South Korea

    Chifure brand launched in Kingdom of Cambodia

    Chifure brand launched in Hong Kong

  • 2020

    Chifure brand launched in Vietnam

    Chifure Rikugien Building (Bunkyo office) opened

    Chifure enters China’s cross-border EC market

    Chifure brand launched in Brunei

  • 2021

    Joined the Japan Business Federation

  • 2022

    Cosmetics OEM Eye mate Co. Ltd. becomes a Group company

    “Cosmetics Carbon Footprint Day” instituted

  • 2023

    Chifure brand launched in Mongolia